[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 81 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 18229-18230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10369]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 81 / Thursday, April 25, 1996 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 18229]]
Memorandum of April 22, 1996
Additional Transportation Planning To Address
Impacts of Transportation on National Parks
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and
Agencies
Transportation in national parks--including ground
transportation of visitors into the parks and airplane
flights over the parks--has a significant impact on a
visitor's experience of the park and on park
management. The Secretary of Transportation has both
valuable expertise and regulatory authority to address
certain of these issues, and has been working on them
with the Secretary of the Interior and others.
Aircraft flying at low altitudes over national parks
can, if not properly managed, mar the natural beauty of
the parks and create significant noise problems as
well. The intrusion of such aircraft can interfere with
wildlife (including threatened and endangered species),
cultural resources and ceremonies, and visitors'
enjoyment of parks, including the ability to experience
natural sounds without interruption from mechanical
noise. Several parks face overflight problems,
including Grand Canyon National Park where substantial
restoration of natural quiet is mandated by law, and
several others identified by the National Park Service
(NPS). It is important to the future of parks to
address these problems quickly and in a fair and
reasonable manner.
In addition, the National Park System contains
thousands of miles of roads. All too often in peak
visitor periods roads are so crowded with cars that the
congestion and competition for space diminish the
quality of the public's experience. Parks are not too
full of people, but the roads and parking areas often
are jammed. With modern technology and alternative
transportation systems, the parks can continue to be
accessible to all, and can be more enjoyable places to
experience and learn about nature and history.
Therefore, to the extent permitted by law, I hereby
direct the Secretary of Transportation in consultation
with the heads of relevant departments and agencies to
continue the ongoing development of rules as set out
below to address overflights of the National Parks:
1. For Grand Canyon National Park,
(a) issue proposed regulations within 90 days to
place appropriate limits on sightseeing aircraft over
the Grand Canyon National Park to reduce the noise
immediately and make further substantial progress
toward restoration of natural quiet, as defined by the
Secretary of the Interior, while maintaining aviation
safety in accordance with the Overflights Act (Public
Law 100-91). Action on this rulemaking to accomplish
these purposes should be completed by the end of 1996;
and
(b) should any final rulemaking determine that
issuance of a further management plan is necessary to
substantially restore natural quiet in the Grand Canyon
National Park, complete within 5 years a plan that
addresses how the Federal Aviation Administration and
NPS will complete the ``substantial restoration and
maintenance of natural quiet,'' as defined by the
Secretary of the Interior in accordance with the
Overflights Act. Any such plan shall ensure that the
restoration of natural quiet required by the
Overflights Act shall be completed in the park not more
than 12 years from the date of issuance of this
directive as recommended in NPS's 1994 ``Report on
Effects of Aircraft Overflights on the National Park
System.''
[[Page 18230]]
2. For Rocky Mountain National Park, complete and
issue, if appropriate, within 90 days, a notice of
proposed rulemaking to address the potential adverse
impact on the park and its visitors of overflights by
sightseeing aircraft, keeping in mind the value of
natural quiet and the natural experience in the park,
as well as protection of public health and safety.
3. Issue by the end of 1996 a notice of proposed
rulemaking for the management of sightseeing aircraft
in those National Parks where it is deemed necessary to
reduce or prevent the adverse effects of such aircraft.
The regulation should, at a minimum, establish a
framework for managing air traffic over those park
units identified in the 1994 NPS study, as priorities
for (1) resolution of airspace issues and (2)
maintaining or restoring natural quiet.
4. Develop appropriate educational and other
materials for the public at large and all aviation
interests that describe the importance of natural quiet
to park visitors and the need for cooperation from the
aviation community. This guidance shall also recognize
that, in some parks, air tours provide important access
to approved areas in those parks, especially with
regard to the disabled communities.
In addition, with respect to ground transportation in
the parks, the Secretary of the Interior, in
consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, is
directed as follows:
To develop a plan for a comprehensive effort to
improve public transportation in the national parks.
This plan should include:
1. design of pilot programs for improved public
transportation in the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Yosemite
National Parks;
2. plans to work with relevant State, local, and
tribal governments on this effort;
3. options to increase access to the parks by
rebuilding infrastructure in the parks; and
4. recommendations to enhance resource protection
and the quality of visitor experience through
innovative transportation planning including, where
possible and appropriate, the use of alternative fuel
vehicles.
This memorandum shall be published in the Federal
Register.
(Presidential Sig.)
THE WHITE HOUSE,
Washington, April 22, 1996.
[FR Doc. 96-10369
Filed 4-24-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P